Father's diet may matter: what scientists found about infants

A study by Brazilian scientists from the University of São Paulo, published in Nutrition Research, linked high consumption of ultra-processed foods by fathers before conception to greater weight and skinfold thickness in newborns. The study involved 43 families. The scientists emphasize that the results are observational and do not prove causation, but they add to evidence on the impact of paternal health on child development.

A new study published in the journal Nutrition Research by scientists from the University of São Paulo in Brazil showed that a father's diet before conception may influence child development. The study involved 43 families, each with a mother, father, and child. Parents were asked about foods and drinks consumed in the 24 hours before the survey, and the proportion of ultra-processed foods in daily energy was calculated. After birth, children's weight, body length, circumferences, skinfold thickness, and body composition were measured. The analysis found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods by fathers was associated with greater newborn body weight, a higher weight-to-length ratio, and greater skinfold thickness in the hip and pelvic areas. On average, ultra-processed foods made up about 30% of energy in fathers' diets, most often processed meat, sugary drinks, and cookies. The scientists suggest that a diet high in such foods may contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, affecting sperm quality. They also consider the IGF-II gene, inherited from the father, whose activity may be influenced by dietary habits through epigenetic changes. However, epigenetic changes were not studied in this research, so the mechanism remains a hypothesis. The authors emphasize that the results cannot be considered proof due to the small sample size and observational nature of the work. Other factors, including maternal diet, genetics, and family lifestyle, could have influenced the results. Larger studies are needed. Nevertheless, the findings add to evidence on the importance of paternal health before conception. The practical takeaway: a diet rich in natural foods and lower in ultra-processed foods is beneficial regardless of pregnancy planning.